App-Based Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Protest to Demand Gov't Regulation
More than a thousand motorcycle taxi drivers employed by online ride-hailing services Go-Jek, Grab and Uber protested in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday (23/11) to demand that the government issues a clear regulation on app-based transportation services in Indonesia.
"President Jokowi has had good intentions since 2015, inviting drivers to lunch at the State Palace, but until now, there has been no regulation," said Slamet, a motorcycle taxi driver, referring to President Joko Widodo by his popular nickname.
Speaking during the protest action, Jakarta Citizens Forum (Fakta) chairman Azas Tigor Nainggolan asked the government to immediately pay attention to the matter.
He added that although app-based motorcycle taxis have been operating in Indonesia for many years, there has yet to be a regulation that deals with job security, remuneration and various other employment-related issues.
Tigor said drivers have so far found themselves in a weak negotiating position when the companies employing them make policies that are detrimental to drivers.
"The companies like to change the rates arbitrarily and like to suspend us without verification. We as drivers cannot do anything," said Ade, another motorcycle taxi driver.
"At first, we could get Rp 4,000 [30 US cents] per kilometer. Now we only get Rp 1,000 – the same you pay to use a toilet!," he added.
Tigor said motorcycle taxi drivers want a regulation similar to the one on app-based car taxis, issued by the Ministry of Transportation earlier.
Tags: Keywords: